Chapter 20: A Matter of Honor
“To be a warrior is to live forever,”
-Clan proverb.
A change of scenery really, really should’ve helped.
The wind howled violently, covering the field with a white blanket of ethereal mist. Countless piled-up corpses rose to form a bloody, macabre monument on a nearing hill just a few yards away from the outpost. Crimson streams poured from it, staining the muddy, desolate battlefield to form a scene right out of a nightmare.
The Clan warriors had gathered solemnly near the stables, away from the rest, forming a tight circle around Denai’s lifeless body. The previous violent wind gradually died down to just a gentle breeze as if the Gods themselves had commanded it, and allowed the warriors to mourn.
Arkan looked troubled, uneasy. He gazed at his men just briefly. Every single warrior looked back at him expectantly. It wasn’t the first time they had to lay down one of their warriors, but it was the first time said warrior made him regret his own words with nothing but sheer courage and determination.
Losing his tongue might have robbed Denai of meaningful last words but he made it more than up with a magnificent performance. Thinking so poorly of him only came to bite Arkan back hard as he couldn’t even take his words back. Sixty-four Nord warriors lay slain in the fields, the price for it; a single Clan warrior, seemed small enough.
But it hardly felt that way.
-“The Gods are cruel cunts,” Arkan said, barely able to hold tears at bay. -“Humbling us the hard way. Tonight we mourn one of our own, a fellow clansman… a true warrior… a brother… a friend…” he paused briefly, looking at a devastated Sitka who remained firm. -“His death breaks our hearts but also fills us with pride, for he went like a true Clan warrior should. He passes from this mortal world but remains with us in spirit as a warrior never truly dies, for to be a warrior is to live forever,”
-“Until we meet again, brother… in the fields of Prydain,”
Arkan turned abruptly and walked away, unwilling to be seen as he finally let loose the waterfalls. Ekto went after him immediately. The warriors gradually dispersed after paying their respects with only Sitka remaining, his eyes fixed on his friend’s corpse and his hands glued to his sword.
-“He died well, Sitka,” a deep and rough voice said. He turned to find Regar limping behind him, using his sword for support. -“You should be proud of him,”
-“I am, sire,”
-“Do not ‘sire’ me, lad,” he said, placing a hand on his shoulder. -“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you. That was an impressive display, so be proud of yourself,”
-“Thank you, Regar,”
Loud footsteps slowly approaching marked the end of the solemn moment. They turned briefly, finding the mercenary lieutenant Skall who immediately gained their attention. -“The captain requests the presence of Arkan and Ekto. It’s important,”
The pair exchanged worried looks. It could only mean bad news.
Nina warily walked down the outpost’s ramp with her heart in his mouth. Cold sweat ran down her face and her heart clenched inside her chest with each step she took, despite the Northmen no longer posing a threat. She just couldn’t help it.
But now something more sinister was at play. Something far more subtle and way more dangerous engulfed them in its shadows. But what was it? She didn’t know, but the Northmen were tainted with its influence. Facing the Nord chieftain, even restrained, terrified her, but the desire to find out the truth was stronger than the fear that reined in her heart.
Kuro was just as nervous, but he did an outstanding job hiding it. He knew whatever information they managed to extract from the Nord chieftain wouldn’t be any good. But they needed to get to the truth, no matter how unpleasant to hear may be.
-“You never mentioned what your deal with her was,” Varr said, snapping him out of his thoughts. He pointed at Nina as she made her way down the ramp. -“The things you’ve done weren’t just for the bounty,”
Kuro just smiled in return. Varr seemed more pissed than usual. And why wouldn’t he? He had left Dawnfall looking for quick cash only to end up being dragged into a mess of massive proportions that just started to get even worse.
-“There’s no ‘deal’,” Kuro said calmly, attempting to appease him but having the opposite effect. -“She’s just my cousin,”
-“Your cousin?!” Varr said, incredulously. -“And you risked life and limb… just for that?!”
-“For that, I’d gamble my life,”
-“I see,” he said, seemingly satisfied with his answer. -“I guess you islanders do indeed love your cousins,”
Great. He just got it all wrong! Kuro chuckled. At least Varr wasn’t strange to dark humor. They both knew the situation was only about to get worse and whatever levity they could get was more than welcome.
They walked around the corner, finding both the drakenirr warrior and the Nord chieftain being tackled into the mud. Albeit the drakenirr didn’t resist, remaining serene, Kortan on the other hand was barely restrained by half a dozen men, staring daggers in return. Nina froze. She gulped loudly, finding out maybe she wasn’t as ready to face the Northmen as she thought she was. Even beaten, he was nothing short of terrifying.
-“Kill me or release me, mercenary avskum! But stop wasting my time!” Kortan growled.
-“Nothing would please me more, Kortan Blodhund, but you have a lot to answer first,” Varr said collectedly. -“Your fate will be up to the clansmen you’ve wronged. Begin by telling us what this is all about,”
-“Fan ta dig!”
That instantly earned him a kick in the face. -“The captain asked a question, kräk!” one of the men restraining him said.
Nina watched silently from behind the corner, shaking like a leaf. The scene brought back dreadful memories from her close encounter with the Northmen and she just couldn’t muster the courage to step up without Rudo’s reassuring presence.
-“You needed us, commander?” a voice interrupted. She turned to find Arkan and Ekto making their way down the ramp. They walked past her, exchanging brief glances.
-“Yes,” Varr said, producing the golden medallion he had taken from under his cloak, and tossing it to Arkan who caught it mid-air. He promptly inspected it. -“What do you know about this?”
-“This is the Clan’s seal, there’s no doubt,” Arkan said. -“The Lord gives it only to very trusted people. How did you get it?”
-“I thought you could tell me,” Varr said cautiously, foreseeing his response. -“My men took it from him,”
-“WHAT!” Arkan said, shocked. He raced to Kortan and pulled him by the hair. -“What is the meaning of this, you disgusting barbarian piece of shit!” he said, showing him the medallion. -“HOW DID YOU GET THIS?!” he growled viciously, squeezing said medallion into his fist and raising it in the air. -“RESPOND!”
-“Fuck you, clanner! And all your mercenary dogs!”
That just earned him a punch in the face. -“Just leave me five minutes with this bastard and he will tell you everything!”
-“He needs his mouth to speak, Arkan!” Ekto said, shielding Kortan from Arkan’s wrath. -“Do you have anything to say, Northman?!”
-“Not to you, clanner!” Kortan roared, spitting a gulp of blood and a broken tooth. -“Just finish this already!”
Nina could barely keep watching. Despite all the suffering he had brought, all the destruction, all the death, despite the hell he put her through, she just couldn’t help but feel for him. Damn it! She cursed being so… sensitive. Yeah, he had it coming, having fully earned the beating but she needed the answers to get to the bottom of this. They will kill him at this rate. I have to stop this! She took a deep breath and steeled herself, slowly walking to them. -“Please, let me talk to him,”
Every single head turned to her. -“He may be more cooperative if he speaks with me,”
Silence. There was nothing Nina loathed more than silence. She wasn’t sure if they just were waiting for her to say something more or if what she just said had shocked them but everyone just kept staring at her. She gulped nervously.
-“Den flicka?!” Kortan said, finally breaking the silence. -“So… that means… the wizard also failed,”
-“He… he came pretty close,” Nina said nervously, finally gathering the courage to look at him in the eyes. -“Are you… associated with him?”
-“We had a temporary truce. One that binds me no longer,”
-“What… what do you want from me?” she dared to ask.
-“I’m on my knees and at your mercy, miss,” Kortan said calmly. -“You are free to exact your revenge. Does whom and why really matter anymore?”
His response took her aback. She steeled herself again as rightful anger took over her. -“My best friend is dead, Northman, and many others as well, so bet your soul it really matters to me!”
-“I see the fire in your eyes. As expected from a Nord woman,”
-“Half Nord!” she roared, suddenly filled with disgust.
-“My nephew Wulfeinn was accompanying the wizard as part of our deal,” he pointed out, trying to change the subject. -“What went with him?”
-“We ask the questions here, Northman!” Varr intervened.
-“I will tell you everything I know if she tells me what went with my nephew!” he countered before turning to Nina with pleading eyes. -“Is he still alive?”
Every head turned to her again. She held her breath briefly, trying to calm down after her outburst. She recalled hearing the mage saying that name. So, even the Northmen have loved ones. -“I’m sure he’s fine. We didn’t kill anyone,”
-“I see,” he said, lowering his head. -“Thank you,”
-“Now how did you get the Clan Seal!” Arkan demanded furiously.
-“The wizard gave it to me,” Kortan replied instantly.
-“And how did he get it?!”
-“How could I know?! Go ask him yourself, fool!”
-“You damned sgumag!” Arkan roared, hitting him in the face again.
-“Arkan! Calm down!” Ekto barged in, holding his friend back. -“This doesn’t help!”
-“You’re aware there is a bounty for her, don’t you?!” Kuro asked.
-“The wizard said as much,” Kortan said, spitting another mouthful of blood. -“But I don’t have anything to do with it!”
-“Then why are you here?!”
-“I was promised something far more important than just gold, ‘adventurer’!”
-“I bet since you came all the way here!” Kuro said, turning to Nina briefly to check on her before proceeding. -“The real question is by whom?!”
-“I don’t know! Some imperial, damn it!” Kortan replied. -“He gave me the task to take her to Nordland!”
-“The same one that gave you weapons and gear?!”
-“And the boats, and a handful of gold to each volunteer! Not just to me, but also to Svenn!”
-“Svenn?!”
-“The other war band! The one that we helped Lord Nero to fight against,” Varr pointed out. -“That means whoever put the reward on her doubled down and also armed the Northmen! Someone incredibly powerful orchestrated this!”
Shit! It’s worse than I’d imagined! Kuro thought, confirming what he already had suspected. -“So, some guy just shows up and hands weapons and ships like candy and you know nothing about it?! You’re either a fool or you’re lying,”
-“Those imperials are shady and scheming! They wouldn’t say much, don’t you see?!” Kortan barked, frustrated. -“I also had my doubts until the ships showed up on the shores! That’s when I realized they meant business! You can think whatever you want of me but what really matters is that Imperials are sticking their noses again and they’re after her!”
-“This isn’t going anywhere. He doesn’t seem to know much,” Varr said.
-“Do you even know who she is?!” Kuro growled, pointing to Nina. -“You’re messing with some big shot around here, you know!”
-“That’s something I would like to know as well!” Kortan replied. -“All I know is that she’s important to them somehow!”
-“Kuro, it’s fine,” Nina said, reaching out to him.
-“Maybe for you, Nina, but I need to get to the bottom of this!” he countered, visibly frustrated. -“I owe it to Verkan!”
-“Wait… what?!” Kortan said, his defiant frown suddenly switching to a confused stare. -“Did you just say ‘Nina’?!”
-“Rings a bell?!”
Impossible! He thought, shaking his head. He took a deep breath, slowly turning to Nina, and locking glances with her, tearing up as the realization hit him like a shockwave in a sight that surprised her. He took the time to actually look at the girl he’d been hunting down for the past few weeks, inspecting her face. Her big sky-blue eyes moist from unshed tears, long strands of hair framed her pixie, childlike face, and her soft lips formed a frown that looked so foreign and yet strikingly… familiar on her. Suddenly, it became clear. There was no doubt now: she was the spitting image of his late sister.
By the Gods! What have I done?!
-“That was my sister’s name,” Kortan said quietly, his face suddenly turning dead white as if he had just seen a ghost. -“You…” he uttered with a quivering voice, turning to Nina again as a mix of shock, anger, and despair took over his heart. -“You’re Konner’s daughter!”
That’s my father’s real name! Nina gulped. -“Y-you… you know my father?!” Nina asked, already dreading the response.
-“Know him?!” he countered, no longer bothering to hold back tears. -“He’s my brother!”
WHAT?!
-“Shit!” Kuro blurted, his heart clenching, turning to check on Nina, placing a hand on her shoulder to try to comfort her. -“You ok?”
-“This doesn’t make any sense,” Nina said. She stood there silently. Her mind was blank, her heart clenched and her insides twisted. She couldn’t move, she could hardly breathe as the moment of epiphany shook her to the core. This can’t be happening! Why?! Why me?! She shook her head, suddenly feeling every single pair of eyes over her. She looked around frantically, perplexed faces only adding confusion.
It was the Nord chieftain that finally broke the silence. -“I see…” he said softly, looking down, laughing quietly. -“I finally understand!”
Nina raced to Kortan, dropping to her knees at his level, and grabbing him by the collar. -“What?! What do you understand?!” she pleaded. -“What do you know?! What are you laughing at?! Please, tell me!”
-“Svenn, the messenger, the seer, the wizard… even you, we are all just pawns in a grand chessboard,” Kortan said, sighing loudly. -“Those bastards… they played me like a fool,”
Nina just stared at him in silence.
-“The Oracle warned me that going against my kindred would be my undoing!” Kortan explained. -“I thought she was talking about my nephew Wulfeinn! That’s the reason I brought him into this… mess! But it turns out she was talking about you the whole time. I did not understand then, but I do now…”
-“You understand what?! Please! I need to know!”
-“I can’t even begin to tell you how sorry I am,” he finally said, his voice cracking. -“I will not ask for forgiveness or mercy. I deserve whatever punishment awaits me, but you must know the truth,”
-“I didn’t know,” Kortan said, staring deeply into her eyes. -“Please, tell your father I didn’t know,”
-“KURO! NINA!” a desperate cry echoed from the outpost.
Everyone turned, looking for the source. Reinn lunged against the stone wall, almost falling to the mud below, anguish twisting her face. It could only mean one thing. -“It’s Boss! He’s not breathing!”
Damn it! Kuro cursed, immediately rushing to the ramps. Nina just stood there briefly when Ekto pointed her to go after him. Both of them were making their way to the courtyard when the Nord chieftain called on them. -“HE CAN TRY TO SAVE YOUR FRIEND!”
Everyone turned to him again. -“Shut up, you barbarian scum!” Arkan roared, hitting him in the face again.
Kuro stopped in his tracks, turning to him just briefly, processing what he had just said before snapping back to reality. -“I don’t have time for this shit!”
The drakenirr mumbled something under his breath again, being understood only by Kortan. -“He means it, he says!”
Arkan was about to punch him again but Ekto stopped him. Kuro rushed to him again, his face now twisted with rage, pulling him by the hair. -“You think I’ll let that beast of a man touch my friend?!”
-“He’s dying either way!” Kortan countered, startling him. -“If there is even the slightest chance to save him, wouldn’t you let him try at least?!”
Fuck it! Kuro sighed powerfully. -“Alright,”
-“Release him,” Varr commanded. His men complied immediately, cautiously releasing their hold of him. The drakenirr warrior promptly stood up, towering over Kuro who just stared at him. He nodded in return.
Kuro turned and rushed to the barracks, instantly followed by the Nord warrior. Nina and Reinn watched them racing past them in shock and disbelief. Wait. Are they really going to…?
-“Boss!” Kuro shouted, slamming the wooden door open, finding Lily, ‘Track’ and Kastus tending over him. He promptly knelt beside him.
-“Kuro! Boss is-” ‘Tracker’ began to say when the Northman ducking under the doorway interrupted him mid-sentence. -“Wait. What is he doing here?!”
-“I let him in,”
-“Why?!”
-“Because I’m hoping for a miracle! Damn it!”
Reinn and Nina rushed through the doorway just as the Northman sat beside poor Raznak. He desperately tried to respire but each time his breath was short followed by blood-coughing spells. His body was swollen and he was slowly suffocating. Varr came behind them shortly after, figuring he would be needed to translate the Nord language.
-“Ta inte bort bulten!” the drakenirr said. -“Inte rustningen heller!”
-“What’s he saying?!” Reinn asked.
-“Don’t remove the bolt or the armor,” Varr replied.
-“Jag behöver min väska!”
-“He needs his bag! Hurry!”
-“I’m on it!” Nina volunteered, rushing outside, only to find Skall just outside the barracks already with the Northman’s belongings. She promptly returned to the room. -“Here!”
-“Vänd honom på sidan!”
-“Turn him on his side!”
Kuro and Lily complied immediately, turning Raznak on his side, his wound facing upward. The wooden bolt protruded from under his armpit, right above the breastplate’s opening, blood bubbling around the wound. The Northman promptly searched his bag and produced a leather purse that contained several tools; some made of metal but most made of bones. -“Det är blod mellan hans lungor och bröst! Jag måste tömma det!”
He closed his eyes, produced a long, thin bone tool with a sharp, pointy end, and raised it to the heavens. It looked hollow at a glance. -“Och, Mäktiga drake, ge lite av din styrka till den här mannen! Låt honom leva! Rädda hans liv!”
-“He’s praying to the Blood God,” Varr said, recognizing the prayer. The Northman produced a pair of scissors, easily cutting through the padding under the armor, and then a scalpel to cut the swollen flesh around the bolt.
The Northman then placed the hollow bone carefully between the ribs, just an inch shy under the wound, and thrust it into Raznak’s body, to everyone’s shock. -“What are you doing?! Kuro growled.
-“Let him work!” Varr countered, restraining Kuro who almost tackled the Northman. -“He’s saving his life! Now hold him tight!”
Raznak twisted in pain, being barely restrained by Kuro and Varr. The Northman then turned him on his back again, and soon dark, thick blood began pouring onto the floor from the opposite end of the hollow bone. Rather than medicine, his doing looked more like dark magic.
Nina held her breath, paying close attention, stunned by what she was watching; not by the lavishing amounts of blood she had grown somewhat used to by now but rather by the procedure in itself and the skillful hands performing it. She had learned basic medical knowledge during her training but she could tell right off the bat that this was way too advanced, even for a career medic.
Raznak began panting but a shortness of breath still afflicted him.
-“Jag måste ge honom det här. Det är en sällsynt växt som bara växer int Bergen!” the Northman urged, producing a small seed from his pouch.
-“You need to give it to him,” Varr said. -“It’s a very rare seed,”
Reinn extended her hand hesitantly, looking at Kuro who nodded in approval. She took the seed from the Northman and cautiously put it over his lips. -“Boss, can you hear me?” she reached out to him. -“You need to swallow this,”
She offered her water skin, bringing it to him. Raznak nodded in return, just barely conscious, taking a sip before swallowing the seed. The Northman undid the leather straps holding his breastplate in place and cautiously removed it. He then took the scissors and cut the rest of the padded jacket, revealing his sore, swollen chest underneath it.
He then took a short leather strap from his bag and handed it to Reinn. She understood instantly. -“Boss, bite this,” she said. Raznak nodded in return, biting the leather piece for dear life and bracing for what he knew was coming.
-“Håll honom hårt. Detta kommer att göra ont,”
-“Hold him tight, it’s going to hurt,”
They complied immediately. Reinn took hold of his head, placing it on her lap. The Northman put his open palms over a large bulge on poor Raznak’s chest and began applying pressure. Raznak cried out a muffled yelp, his body twisting in agony, being just barely held by Kuro in one arm and Varr in the other.
Blood began pouring from the hollow bone again, now of an even darker tone. The Northman repeated the process, pressuring near the wound, now even ticker blood coming out. Raznak soon passed out.
Nina covered her mouth with both hands, watching in awe as the drakenirr performed his ‘magick’. Whatever he’s doing, it’s seemingly working! He took the scalpel again, and with the help of a pair of long pliers carefully removed the crossbow bolt. He then produced a small wooden cup from his bag and spread an ointment all over the wound. He then sealed the hollow bone with a crock plug.
Raznak then took a deep breath; his chest began aerating again to everyone’s relief. -“He’s breathing again!” Reinn yelled, weeping all over again, this time from joy. -“Thank the Gods!”
-“Jag har gjort allt som finns i min makt för att rädda honom. Nu gäller det honom,” the Northman said, wiping his bloodied hands. -“Han är krigare. Om han klarar natten så kommer han med största sannolikhet att leva,”
-“He says he’s done everything he could,” Varr said. -“Now it’s up to him. If he makes it through the night, he will live,”
-“Boss is tough, he’s going to make it,” Kuro said, stroking Reinn’s hand, wiping his own tears with his sleeves before turning to face the Northman. -“Thank you,”
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
The drakenirr nodded in return. -“Detta är en mycket sällsynt salva. Jag har bara en liten kopp. Han kommer att behöva mycket mer,”
-“He’s going to use all of his medicine on him, but he will need more,”
-“What do you need to make more?!” Kuro asked.
-“Drak urin! Jag behöver mycket av det!”
-“He’s going to need dragon’s… urine, he says, a lot,”
Everyone turned to Nina as if she somehow had the key to their predicament. -“That... that won’t be a problem!” she said, giggling nervously, scraping the back of her head. -“I’ll talk to him later,”
-“Well, is not like he’ll use it for anything else,” Kuro quipped; now breathing a bit easier.
-“Who would’ve thought it?!” Reinn said. -“The Northmen can still do good!”
-“You wouldn’t believe it,” Varr said, smiling.
The barrack’s doors then suddenly burst open. -“Sir! Lone rider coming hard from the forest! From the west!” Skall reported as he rushed inside.
Varr immediately stood up and raced outside. -“Stay here!” Kuro said, turning to Reinn and ‘Tracker’, promptly chasing after Varr. Nina watched them leave. Oh boy. What now?! Curiosity got the better of her as always and she too rushed outside.
A lone rider tore through the horizon near the forest’s edge, going back and forth over the hilltops, seemingly looking for the gravel road now obscured by a thick layer of mud. The moonless night and heavily clouded sky just made it impossible to discern friend from foe although a single rider hardly presented a threat.
-“ARKAN!” the rider roared, charging at the outpost’s gates as fast as its mount allowed.
-“At ease!” Varr shouted, pacifying his crew. -“It’s just one of the clansmen!”
What in the world?! Arkan thought, walking away from the small crowd, scanning the horizon, struggling to identify whoever called him. Only when the rider neared the outpost’s gates he could tell its identity. -“KIRA?!”
Kira jumped from her mount just as she reached the ramp, racing to meet him, crashing into a shocked Arkan. -“What the hell are you doing here, woman?!” he asked, awestruck.
-“I went for reinforcements, you bloody idiot!” Kira said, breaking down in tears. -“And to think I was worried sick about you!”
-“Well, as you can see, we already took care of the Northmen!”
-“No! Listen!” Kira urged, despairing. -“This is serious! Lord Euron is coming with his entire guard! I don’t know what’s got into him but he’s furious!”
-“But why?!” Arkan countered, amused. -“Because we stole all the fun?!”
Damn it! That’s it! Kuro cursed. Arkan’s words echoed through his head as the realization hit him like a ton of bricks. Shit! This is bad! He thought, figuring out the most likely reason. It sucks being right all the time! -“Exactly!” he barged in, leaving everyone speechless.
-“Wait, what?!” Arkan asked back, now even more confused. -“What do you mean?!”
-“Beware the Clan Lord!” Kortan warned. -“He’s in league with the mage!”
-“Silence, scumbag!”
-“Arkan! Wait!” Ekto urged, reaching up to him, saving the Northman from another beating. -“What if what he’s saying is true?!”
-“Do you believe in this filthy scoundrel!”
-“He’s got the Clan Seal somehow!”
-“What do you know about that?!” Kuro said, turning to Kortan.
-“Only that he promised the Clan Lord something for the girl!”
-“I bet it wasn’t money!”
-“By the Gods, Kuro!” Arkan urged again, exasperated, still none the wiser. -“What the hell do you mean?!”
-“I mean we just killed the mage’s payment!”
Oh, shit!
You goddamned blaggard! Kortan cursed, only now realizing that the mage had indeed set him up not with the outpost’s defenders but with the Clan Lord himself. He sighed forcefully, bitterly clenching his teeth while his blood boiled as a profound hatred washed over him.
Nina took it just as well. She just stood there, shocked, her mind racing just as fast as the maelstrom swirling in her stomach. Her heart pounded so wildly that she wondered if anyone could hear it over the eerie silence took had taken over the courtyard. She’s been feeling increasingly worked up ever since learning that Clan Aureon might have sided with the mage and hearing Kuro just confirming it felt like a punch in the guts.
She slowly turned around. Varr’s mercenaries just stared at each other, looking lost and confused. Ekto and the remaining Clan warriors looked just as confused, their heads all turned to Arkan who remained silent, seemingly at a loss.
-“Fuck!” Varr cursed, breaking the silence, only now starting to fully grasp the magnitude of the implications. -“Skall!”
His lieutenant rushed to him immediately. -“Yes, sir?!”
-“Bring the company to the courtyard!”
-“At once!” he replied, instantly turning to his men. -“REGROUP AT THE BARRACKS YOU LAZY MAGGOTS! AND BRING THAT SORE MOCKERY OF A MAN WITH YOU! MOVE!!!”
The mercenaries complied immediately, racing up the ramp to the barracks, and assembling into an orderly formation in the courtyard. Skall signaled at the last two who dragged a maddened Kortan by the hair, dropping him face-first into the mud.
Although something unwelcomed, with defeat, also came serenity; a kind of clarity Kortan would have never expected. For him, it suddenly made perfect sense why the Gods put him in that precise place at that exact moment. Maybe that was the reason he let himself be deceived in the first place. Oh. The Gods do indeed act in mysterious ways!
Now he saw a different path stretch out in front of him, this time one that he would take gladly. He turned over his shoulder to the man restraining him, looking at him straight into the eyes. I will protect my niece! -“I need a word with your commander! Please!”
-“You aren’t in a position to demand anything!” Skall roared.
-“Bring him to me,” Varr commanded.
-“Yes, sir!” Skall replied, motioning with a hand to the pair holding the Northman who promptly dragged him to their commander’s feet.
-“Sir, he was begging for an audience with you,” the man said.
-“What do you want?!” Varr prompted.
Kortan spat a mouthful of dirt and blood, struggling to wipe his face with his shoulders as his hands were bound behind him. He then raised his head and stared back at him. -“Commander! I can still fight! If you release me, I’ll help you fight the clansmen!”
-“You understand I’ll turn you in if the Clan Lord requests it, do you not?!”
-“If it means saving my niece, I’ll turn in myself,”
Varr pondered briefly about it. -“Very well,” motioning to Skall who removed his bounds. -“Then I proclaim tjänare on my behalf, Kortan Blodhund,”
-“Ja, commander,” Kortan said softly, lowering his head. -“I pledge my axe to you,”
-“Skall! Assign him a post under your direct command,”
-“Yes, sir!” he replied, handing Kortan his great axe. -“Follow me, avskum!”
-“What?!” Arkan said, watching the Nord chieftain armed once more in complete disbelief. Why?! He had lost a valuable warrior fighting the Northmen just an hour ago, and now the mercenaries enlisted him into their ranks?! He turned to Kira who was just as horrified, and then to Kuro who couldn’t be more pissed. -“Kuro!” he reached out to him. -“What was that?!”
-“Isn’t it obvious?!” he countered, annoyed, rushing to the barracks to retrieve his gear. -“We’re preparing for another fight!”
-“WHAT?! Wait, you are going to fight Lord Euron?!”
-“Only if he leaves us no choice!” Kuro said. -“What are you going to do?!”
-“I must try to reason with him!”
-“And you Kira?!”
-“I’m just as confused as he is!”
-“Listen!” he said, placing a hand on each of their shoulders. -“I know this is crazy! Nobody wants to fight but I can’t let him take Nina!”
They heard footsteps on the mud approaching steadily. -“Ekto?” Arkan said, reaching out to him.
-“I will fight to protect my friend, Arkan. Please, don’t try to stop me,” he said coldly.
What?! First, the mercenaries that came to their rescue were now getting ready to fight his Lord, and now his close friend and second-in-command was rebelling?! This doesn’t make any sense! -“Ekto! I know that girl means a lot to you but you’re talking about going against our Clan!”
-“We’ve promised to protect her!” Ekto growled fiercely. -“We both gave our words! If we turn back now then Denai would have died for nothing!”
-“I know! But… It’s our Clan, damn it! It’s our Lord!”
-“My honor demands I must uphold my promise,” he said calmly, staring deep into his eyes. -“If fight I must then fight I will!”
-“Ekto! A warrior’s duty is to his Clan!”
-“A warrior’s duty is to his honor! YOU taught me that, Arkan!”
-“Calm down, buddy,” Kuro cut in. -“Listen, you don’t have to do this,”
-“I will protect Nina and that’s final! If the Lord wishes to take her then he’ll have to go through me first,”
-“Ekto, please!” Arkan pleaded, holding him by the shoulders, on the verge of tears. -“Let me try to reason with him at least, alright?!”
-“Alright,”
They stared at each other briefly and nodded. There was nothing more to say. Arkan went to the stables to address the remaining Clan warriors, followed closely by Kira. Ekto just watched them walk away. He shut his eyes and let out a long sigh. We just survived a battle and now we’re about to fight another.
Nina couldn’t bear the sight of her childhood friend grieving any longer and promptly reached up to him, placing a hand on his forearm. He turned to her instantly, only to be tackled by a powerful embrace that shocked him momentarily. -“Thank you, Ekto,”
Ekto clumsily returned the embrace, taking a deep breath to delve into the moment. -“That must’ve been difficult,” Kuro barged in, placing a hand on his spaulders. -“You think we can still count on the warriors?”
-“I… I’m not sure,” Ekto said, stroking the back of Nina’s head. -“But I’m sure of this: in the end, Arkan always does the right thing,”
Their moment was cut short as distant yet powerful thunder tore up the cloudy sky. They turned just in time to watch the forest’s edge light up in the distance, bolts of lightning striking down the horizon and unexpected gusts of wind battered against the outpost as if the Gods themselves warned of an imminent threat. A storm was coming, and not just one from the heavens.
That was when a bright, blinding flash turned the night into broad daylight just for an instant, revealing a massive cavalry force standing still over the farthest hilltop. Nina gasped loudly as shivers went down her spine, instantly letting go of Ekto, wondering just how long a force double the size of the Nord war band had remained undetected until now.
-“Miss,” someone said, snapping her out of her thoughts. She turned immediately, finding Varr and Farkas behind her. -“If worst comes to worst, Farkas has a bull ready. I’ve commanded him to take you back to Clan Irfis lands. I need you to be ready,”
-“Thank you, sir,” Nina said, turning towards the armory briefly. -“But I’m not going anywhere without Rudo,”
-“I wasn’t asking,” he replied, motioning his hand. Farkas came from behind her and took a grip of her arms, completely restraining her.
-“WHA- Let me go!”
-“I’ve signed a juicy contract with Lord Nero over you!” Varr said. -“And I don’t intend to break it in our first mission! Farkas! Leave at my signal!”
-“Yes, sir!”
Nina tried to fight back but soon realized it was pointless, letting out a loud sigh instead. -“I’m sorry,” Farkas said with a mournful tone, easing his hold of her somewhat. -“Please understand! This is for your good!”
-“It’s easy for you to say that!”
-“The captain is going to hold them off to allow us to escape,” he replied, taking her aback. -“Believe me, it isn’t easy,”
Her heart sank even lower. Why?! Why this has to happen?! She looked at the heavens pleading for answers just as another lightning tore up the cloudy night sky. Verkan, please! I don’t know what to do!
Arkan returned from the stables, walking through the courtyard to the gates, ignoring everyone on his path, and planting himself at the gates. Ekto also followed him, remaining silent at his side. Kuro soon left the barracks, joining them at the gates as well. Soon, both Clan warriors and mercenaries assembled in the courtyard. Everybody stared at the riders, their weapons at the ready. Nobody uttered a word.
The riders took this as a sign and began approaching the outpost unhurriedly, calmly walking their bulls through the hellish landscape. The darkness revealed beautiful fur mantles and magnificently ornate lamellar armors as they neared, identifying their bearers as elite Clan warriors.
A powerful thunder echoed through the meadows, the bright flash of lightning briefly turning the night into broad daylight, revealing even more riders, adding countless more to the already massive force, walking without any sense of urgency, only making it even more unnerving.
The riders proceeded casually until halting a few yards before the outpost, slowly forming a broad semi-circle around the ramp, stoically remaining in their places. A single rider emerged from the formation, walking just to the ramp, staring directly at the men assembled up the walls. His majestic silvery armor furnished with exotic furs and the full plaid with the Clan colors across his breastplate singled him out from the rest.
He scanned the crowd thoroughly, promptly identifying Arkan who took a deep breath before racing to the gates. -“Lord Euron, sir!” he said, saluting him with a fist to his chest.
-“You did an absolute mess defending the outpost,” the Lord said, scanning the blasted, desolate fields around. -“Such a regrettable, unclanlike display. I did not expect this, not even from you,”
-“We did everything we could to defend the outpost, My Lord!” Arkan said, standing at attention, his eyes fixed on the horizon.
-“We?” Lord Euron asked, intrigued. -“I see you have made some… colorful friends,” he said, walking his bull closer and surveying the crowd, quickly identifying Nina to her complete shock. -“At least you managed to protect the priestess,” he added, turning to him again. -“Now hand her over,”
-“What?!”
-“Your Lord has commanded you, serkal!” a voice roared amid the riders. The rider walked his mount unhurriedly, pulling up next to his Lord. Even with his helmet on and a mask concealing his face, Arkan instantly identified him as his former teacher and elite warden. Brera! -“Hand over the priestess!” he reiterated just as another thunder tore through the sky.
-“But… why?!”
-“You will do as you are commanded, serkal! Or will you defy your Lord?!”
-“This does not make any sense!” Arkan countered, visibly frustrated. He turned to the Lord. -“Lord Euron! Please!”
-“You speak to me now, serkal!” Brera growled fiercely. -“What our Lord intends with her is none of your business! Now fall in line, and hand her over!”
-“I can’t!” Arkan replied to the warden’s ire. -“I’ve promised I would keep her safe! If I turn her in now then Denai’s sacrifice will be for nothing!”
Warden Brera took a deep breath and groaned loudly, his breath forming a cloud of moisture in the chilling night air. His eyes never left Arkan, staring daggers at him for daring to raise his voice against him, let alone stand against the Clan. -So,” he said calmly yet full of disdain. -“Should I consider this treason, then?!”
-“What?! No! I…”
-“SILENCE!” he roared, unsheathing his sword, the sound of grinding steel echoing through the night. -“You will do as you’re told, serkal! Or you will die!”
Every eye was now fixed on Arkan. He stood there silently, at a loss of what to say and do. How had it come to this?! At least on the battlefield, he could be certain of who was friend and foe. But now? He wasn’t so sure anymore.
But despite doubt and uncertainty clouding his heart, he was sure of one thing.
This wasn’t right.
Arkan raised his head with newfound resolve, staring deeply into the warden’s eyes, startling him. -“What happened to you, Brera?!” he roared fiercely as righteous anger took over his heart. -“I used to look up to you!”
-“Do not address me familiarly, serkal!”
-“Is this what a proud Clan Warden has turned into?! A dog on a leash?!”
-“HOW DARE YOU?!” Brera growled viciously, barely able to restrain himself. -“A warrior’s duty is to his Clan, serkal!”
-“A warrior’s duty is to his honor! YOU taught me that, Brera!”
-“If you cannot follow a simple command then you are of no use to the Clan!” Brera said coldly. -“I have nothing to do with you but to get rid of you!”
-“You will not face him alone, warden!” someone yelled among the crowd. Arkan turned immediately, finding Ekto slowly making his way to him to his complete shock. -“You’ll have to go through me first!”
-“And through me!” another voice echoed. Arkan turned again, now finding Sitka walking towards him.
-“And through me!” Regar yelled, limping his way through the crowd to him.
-“And through me!” Gobei said, rushing towards them.
Arkan looked around. Suddenly, every single one of his warriors raced next to him, forming a human wall at his sides. They didn’t draw their swords but a brief look at their faces left no doubt; they would follow him to hell and back. -“You will have to kill us all!” one of the warriors said.
-“You… stubborn maggots!” Arkan said, tearing up, trying to wipe the tears with his gauntlets and failing miserably. -“You honor me,”
-“They are not alone, Warden!” Varr cried from behind, slowly walking to the gates. -“The girl is under the Northwind Highlanders’ protection! Any attempt on her directly violates the Concordat of Midland that your Lord has signed!” he turned to Arkan, giving him a reassuring nod. -“We’d rather settle this amicably, but know that we’ll fight on her behalf if we have to! What would you have?!”
Brera gulped loudly. His blood boiled and his hands shivered, hating being caught off-guard like that but knowing he couldn’t make that call by himself. He turned to Lord Euron anxiously. -“My Lord?”
Lord Euron chuckled, amused. -“The Concordat is just a meaningless piece of paper with little to no importance and they know that,” he said calmly before turning to Varr. -“How about I give you one last chance to hand her over and walk away with your pay, or my bulls will ride over what little is left of you that nobody will believe you even existed!”
Damn! He’s good! Varr cursed, recalling reading that same line in some imperial book. He let out a loud sigh, his warm breath forming a cloud of moisture in the chilling night air. He turned to his men who patiently waited for his command, finding in their faces no trace of fear or uncertainty. He turned to Kuro and Reinn, who nodded in return, readying their gear. He turned to Kortan, who gripped his great axe in anticipation.
He then turned to poor Nina whose big, watery eyes pleaded him clemency. The Northwind Highlanders had faced greater odds before and always came on top. But facing a Clan Lord and his Elite Guard? This was new, but still, nothing that they couldn’t beat. My kingdom for a girl. -“Skall!”
-“Yes, sir!”
-“Care to do the honors?”
An eager grin formed on Skall’s lips in thirstful anticipation. -“Yes, sir!” he said, climbing on top of the walls. -“COME IF YOU DARE, YOU FILTHY SKIRT-WEARING, BASKET-FACED STRAVAGS!!!”
Lord Euron laughed. His laugh contrasted with his guards’ raging, offended faces. Skirt-wearing, huh? That’s a good one! He pondered, briefly looking at the kilt beneath his armor before turning to a stricken Brera. -“They have chosen death. So be it,”
-“Yes, my Lord,” the Warden said. -“KILL THEM ALL!”
Nina watched in horror as the guards unsheathed their swords all in unison in a magnificent display. Arkan’s warriors responded in kind, the blood-chilling sound of grinding steel echoing through the night. Shit! Shit! Shit! Not again! Varr’s mercenaries instantly followed. There was no turning back now.
Suddenly, Farkas pulled her by the arm, dragging her towards the stables. -“We’re leaving!” he growled. Nina looked around frantically. No! Rudo! She tried to break free but Farkas held her fast.
-“RUDO!” she yelled at the top of her lungs. No! Farkas kept dragging her, undeterred. Nina hit him with her fists to no avail, she tried biting his hand but his gloves protected him. She then stomped over his toe, finally denting him, breaking free from his dominant grasp, and making a run towards the armory. -“Rudo!”
The warriors formed a semi-circle at the top of the ramp, while the mercenaries assembled behind them. This is it?! Nina thought. The Guards charged at the outpost, skillfully surrounding their Lord who stood still in front of the ramp. Nina swung the armory’s doors wide open, catching a glance of a passed-out Rudo before being restrained by Farkas again. -“NO! RUDO!!”
-“WAIT!!!” a deafening cry echoed through the night.
Everyone froze. What was that?! Every head turned to Arkan who stood still at the gates, holding his sword above his head still inside its scabbard. He walked down the ramp unhurriedly with his heart in his mouth. -“Lord Euron!” he yelled for everyone to hear. -“Leave them alone! This is between you and me! As serkal of Clan Aureon, I exercise my right to a trial! I demand a Trial of Refusal!”
Sounds of gasping filled the air. -“Time for trials is long over!” Brera roared fiercely, pointing his sword at him.
-“The pup has grown quite the spine, Brera,” the Lord said calmly. -“I shall grant him his wish,”
-“As you wish, my Lord,”
-“Warrior training must be lacking nowadays,” Lord Euron pointed out. -“They forgot to teach you some manners!”
-“They taught me enough! Even Clan protocol!” he countered.
-“Then you know what it entails to challenge the Lord,”
-“A duel to death,” Arkan said, just as another thunder tore the sky.
-“And yet you wish to carry on with this?!”
-“I must! I’ve promised the priestess I would keep her safe!”
-“Very well,”
Lord Euron sighed. His entire elite guard walked away after just a motion of his hand. They assembled a broad circle around their Lord, blocking the access to the outpost. What’s going on?! Nina wondered, watching awestruck at their majestic display.
-“Arkan!” Ekto yelled, racing down the ramp, halting his friend before he entered the circle. -“What the hell are you doing?!”
-“You thought I would let you throw away your life?!” Arkan asked back.
-“By throwing away yours?! This is madness!”
-“I know! But it’s the only way to keep you all out of this!”
-“In all our duels together, you could never defeat me!” Ekto said, despairing. -“And he’s much better than me!”
-“In all our duels together, Ekto, my life was never in jeopardy,” Arkan said serenely. -“You will see I set great store by it,”
-“ARKAN!” a blood-chilling cry echoed through the outpost.
Both turned immediately, watching Kira lunging through the crowd and down the slope. She tackled him with a strength she didn’t know was capable of, grabbing him by the leather collar of his armor. -“Why are you doing this?!” she demanded, sobbing powerfully. -“Are you so eager to die?!”
-“This doesn’t concern you, woman!” he replied, utterly confused.
-“It does concern me, you bloody moron!” she growled fiercely, no longer bothering on holding back tears. -“Why are you so freaking dense!”
Arkan gulped nervously. Not even the prospect of imminent death terrified him more than an irate Kira. He always countered her hostility with disdain, or at least tried to, and she always found new ways to make his life a living hell. But despite that, he couldn’t bring himself to brush her aside, especially not now.
He might have never dared to admit it, but Arkan always enjoyed whatever victory he managed to get over her. Hell! He may have even given Kira the time of day if only she wasn’t such a pain all the time. He always believed she would have loved watching him walking to his death like he was about to do. Then why was she so… downcast?
Only then did it come to his mind why she might have been so… upset. Oh. -“K-Kira, I…” Arkan stuttered. He never stuttered, only she made him stutter, to his brothers-in-arms, he was a valiant leader. But to her? He took a deep breath. -“I-I thought you hated me!”
-“I DON’T HATE YOU! YOU IDIOT! I LO-” Kira roared, cutting herself mid-sentence before she could finish. She took a deep breath, burying her face on his chest. -“Please, don’t die,” she said softly.
-“I’m sorry… for everything,” he said softly, walking away.
Kira tried to race after him but Ekto stopped her, finally collapsing in his arms. Nina and Farkas watched from behind the walls as Arkan fearlessly entered the circle, fully aware that these could be his final moments. Farkas had stopped trying to take her by this point, unwilling to be caught taking her away, and risk Arkan’s valiant stand being confused with deceit, and everyone being massacred.
She turned briefly, watching Arkan’s warriors saluting him with their fists on their chests, witnessing their brother-in-arms with watery eyes. Only then did she realize why Arkan challenged the Lord. If he failed; only HE would bear the blame for defying the Clan, saving the mercenaries and his fellow clansmen from certain slaughter. She had witnessed a Trial before, knowing that her fate was also at stake, and aware that they had to settle this once and for all.
Such was the way of the Clans.
A funereal silence took over the field. Arkan entered the circle just as the first raindrops began falling. He stepped on a shallow pool and tripped over a leftover Nord sword buried in the mud. What's this?! Was it a sign?! A prelude to his impending demise?! These thoughts haunted him, knowing his chances of defeating Lord Euron were slim. He knew that better than anyone, but he had no choice but to carry on.
Lord Euron dismounted unhurriedly, removing his helmet as the Clan customs dictated, revealing a long, silky silver mane underneath. Arkan quickly followed suit, unstrapping his battered helmet, his long, unkempt dark hair flowing in the wind. They both stood throughout the gravel road which provided a firm surface but the mud had swallowed both sides of the road.
A bolt of lightning suddenly lit up the clouded night sky, soon followed by a powerful thunder that echoed through the entire forest, and the rain increasing its intensity. Ekto dragged an anguished Kira up the ramp, joining Nina and Farkas behind the nearest wall.
Arkan then unsheathed his khalet and raised it in the air. -“I am Serkal Arkan Aureon of Clan Aureon! I claim this Trial of Refusal against your authority, Lord Euron! What is your response?!”
-“Just let’s get this over with, boy!” Lord Euron said, unsheathing a lengthy, beautifully ornate claymore gleaming with an iridescent hue.
-“Sky steel!” Ekto whispered, shocked, instantly earning everyone’s attention. -“It’s not fair! It’ll go through his armor like a hot knife through butter!”
Nina looked around. Nobody moved a finger. She turned to Ekto. -“Can’t you do something?” she asked.
-“Nobody can now,” Ekto said bitterly. -“If anyone interferes now, Arkan will be disgraced, and for a Clan warrior, that’s even worse than death,”
-“I, Warden Brera Aureon of Clan Aureon, will oversee this Trial!” Brera yelled. -“The Trial of Refusal is declared and accepted! Draw your swords with purpose, and sheathe them with honor!”
Arkan readied his sword and walked to meet his adversary. Rain drenched his hair and ran down his face. His breathing was laborious, and his heart pounded inside his chest like never before. Lord Euron remained still, patiently bidding his time, waiting for him to enter inside his reach.
Arkan roared, lunging at the Lord who casually deflected his strike. Lord Euron responded with an elbow to his face. Arkan snarled, spitting a broken tooth, and throwing a mighty horizontal swing which the Lord simply dodged. He then charged with a powerful thrust that Lord Euron effortlessly deflected with his hand. The difference in skill was evident since the onset.
Lord Euron retaliated with an overhead swing. Arkan blocked the strike, watching in absolute shock as the Lord’s blade carved halfway through his sword. Shit!
This is bad.
A kick to his stomach sent Arkan backward. He barely dodged a swing to his neck. Arkan lunged at his foe again, exploiting a brief opening to tackle him down. Lord Euron stood his ground. He stomped on Arkan’s feet and smacked him in the face in return.
Arkan fell on his butt. He promptly stood up, charging at the Lord again who simply tripped him with his claymore, burying his face into the mud. He swiftly stood up again, wiping his face, spitting a mouthful of dirt, charging at the Lord again, binding his sword with the Lord’s in an attempt to throw him off balance.
They locked face to face. Arkan playing on his youth and strength to overpower him but the Lord stood his ground. His body began to falter as exhaustion took its toll, having endured the battle against the Northmen. Lord Euron took notice immediately.
He shoved Arkan away, swinging his massive claymore at him as if it were weightless. Arkan parried the blow. The Lord attacked again, now with increased strength. Arkan blocked the strike, horrified as the blade almost cut his sword in half. The Lord then launched a powerful horizontal swing. Arkan tried to parry it but his khalet finally broke, cutting through his armor like paper, and jabbing his ribs.
Arkan let out a gruesome yelp as an acute sting numbed his side. Lord Euron kicked Arkan in the chest, knocking him down. He fell on his back, sinking into the mud, his face twisted with agony. -“ARKAN!” Kira yelled, almost jumping off the wall, barely restrained by a horrified Ekto.
-“Lord Euron, please!” Arkan pleaded, crawling away on his back.
-“I brought you into this world!” Lord Euron said, looking down at Arkan, his face bearing contempt. -“I think it’s rather fitting I should be the one to take you out of it!”
-“Father! Please, stop!”
-“SILENCE!” he roared. -“You are pathetic and weak! Unworthy of being a warrior! And unworthy of being my son! You can’t even raise your head to die with a modicum of dignity!” he said, slowly making his way towards him. -“You are nothing but a disgrace!”
-“Father, please!” Arkan cried, dragging himself through the mud.
-“Nothing can keep me from my quarry! Not even you!” the Lord said coldly, readying his claymore. -“But I will fix that now,”
Arkan turned away, crawling through the mud toward a shallow pool near the ramp. His heart thumped violently and his lungs pumped wildly, desperately searching the puddle for anything that could save him. He finally laid his hands on the ditched sword he’d been looking for when the Lord then kicked him in the ribs. He then turned Arkan on his back for the final blow.
-“Now die,” Lord Euron said coldly, raising his sword above his head. Arkan finally found the sword’s grip and pulled it from the mud.
Slash!
The crowd gasped followed by an eerie silence as time came to a screeching halt. Nina had covered her face in the last instant and now peeked through her fingers. Arkan just buried the sword on the Lord’s abdomen, to everyone’s shock.
Arkan pulled the sword. Lord Euron took a few steps back before falling to his knees and then to the ground. Arkan barely pulled himself up, his teary eyes fixed on the Lord as if nothing else mattered. He crawled to him, kneeling beside him and cradling him in his arms.
-“A fair stroke,” Lord Euron said as the life spilled out of him just as quickly as the blood from his wound. -“But… you won’t last long… as Lord. That… I swear,” he said with his remaining strength, gazing at the night sky before closing his eyes and drawing his last breath.
-“WHY DID YOU MAKE ME DO THIS, FATHER!!” Arkan roared with a heart-wrenching cry, weeping powerfully over the lifeless body.
-“My Lord!” Brera cried, drawing his sword as a mixture of wrath and shock suddenly took over him. -“YOU GODDAMNED BASTARD!”
-“Mind your words, warden!” Ekto shouted from the top of the wall, pointing his sword at him, instantly drawing every eye to him. -“You’re addressing your new Lord now! Put your sword down!”
Now it was Brera who had every head turned at him. Damn it! He cursed, taking a deep breath before begrudgingly sheathing his sword away. Nina shyly walked down the ramp, no longer feeling threatened by the Lord’s entourage but dreading her imminent duties. Once again she found herself attending a Clan Lord's funeral. It was just something that seldom happened but never did she imagine she would have to do it a second time in the same week.
-“M-my Lady!” Arkan babbled, turning to Nina. -“Could you… could you please say a prayer… for my father?”
She nodded, kneeling in the mud beside him, clasping her hands, and closing her eyes.
-“Merciful Father, creator of all,
Open your arms and receive this soul,
Forgive the sins he committed in life,
And guide him back to the paradise,
On the endless fields of Prydain,
Where his ancestors wait for him,
Where he shall live forever,”
-“Selah,”
Nina looked around. Every head now turned to her. Even though the immediate danger was finally over and her heart soared with relief, she couldn’t help but feel for poor Arkan, weeping beside him.
As Nina watched the rain fall, soaking her hair and face, her heart went to the one she trusted the most. Although the recent threat now lay lifeless beside her, she knew she would need his inhuman strength again to help her overcome this new challenge as something even more sinister still lurked in the shadows. What was it? She didn’t know.
But sooner or later she would have to face it.